GymHawks Beat UW-Stout, Remain Unbeaten At Home

Feb. 13, 2011

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IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team remains unbeaten at home with a 195.300-183.200 win over Wisconsin-Stout Sunday afternoon. Making it their second win in three days, the GymHawks improve to a season record of 5-4. Competition was held inside the UI Field House.

“Having two meets in one weekend is extremely draining for your team, both physically and mentally,” said Head Coach Larissa Libby. “To be able to come out and post the scores we did despite some losses in the lineup and such a busy schedule shows a lot about the heart and ability of our team.”

Senior Rebecca Simbhudas won her second all-around title of the weekend, and fourth of the year, with a 38.750. Junior Jessa Hansen, Iowa’s only other all-around competitor, placed second with a score of 38.550.

The Hawkeyes started things off with a 48.975-46.125 win on vault. Sophomore Maya Wickus earned her first event title as a Hawkeye with a win on vault. The Port Washington, WI, native posted a season high of 9.850. Simbhudas and sophomore Emma Stevenson tied for second with scores of 9.825. It was not only the first varsity vault performance for Stevenson this year, but her second-place score was a career high. Hansen (9.775), senior Arielle Sucich (9.700) and junior Annie Szatkowski (9.675) rounded out fourth, fifth and sixth places, respectively.

“The win on vault is more important for Maya than anyone can believe,” said Libby. “She puts so much pressure on herself to succeed for the team and I couldn’t be happier for her to finally win the event. She’s a constant support for everyone on this team and it’s great to see her hard work pay off.”

Iowa advanced to bars where they scored a season high of 49.125, ahead of the Blue Devils’ 44.950. Senior Houry Gebeshian won the event with a score of 9.875, tying a career high for the Newton, MA, native. Simbhudas finished second with a 9.850 while Hansen scored a 9.825 and placed third. Additionally, Stevenson (9.800) and Sucich (9.775) each scored season highs to finish fourth and fifth, respectively.

The GymHawks moved to beam where they topped UW-Stout, 48.225-45.900. Gebeshian picked up another title with a season high of 9.875 in the event. Sucich (9.775) and Szatkowski (9.725) each posted career marks on beam as the duo placed third and fourth, respectively. Additionally, senior Andrea Hurlburt placed fifth with a score of 9.700.

Iowa ended the meet with a 48.975-46.225 win on floor. Simbhudas won the event with a career performance of 9.925 while Hansen placed second with a 9.875. Sophomore Kaitlynn Urano placed third with a career high of 9.775 and Gebeshian finished fourth with a 9.750.

The Hawkeyes will look to add to their winning streak when they travel to Ames, IA, for a meet against Iowa State Feb. 18. The meet will be held in Hilton Coliseum and is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. (CT).

“Next weekend is not only a great opportunity for both us and Iowa State,” added Libby. “It’s a great opportunity for the sport of gymnastics. It’s a great instate rivalry and should be a great meet. It’s another tough turnaround for us, but we can’t make excuses. We’ll do everything necessary this week and be ready for the Cyclones Friday night.”